No Pain, no gain for hip-hop star

A RAPPER from Prestwich is to perform with one of the biggest hip-hop stars from America. Pisees Wumi, of Albert Avenue, will join US hip-hop star T-Pain on Saturday night at the 2,500-capacity Sheridan Suite in Manchester’s Oldham Road.

A RAPPER from Prestwich is to perform with one of the biggest hip-hop stars from America.

Pisees Wumi, of Albert Avenue, will join US hip-hop star T-Pain on Saturday night at the 2,500-capacity Sheridan Suite in Manchester’s Oldham Road.

T-Pain, along with Flo Rida, was responsible for the song Low, which became one of last summer’s biggest hits. He also released a single with R ‘n’ B superstar Chris Brown, who hit the headlines recently following his bust up with girlfriend Rihanna.

Ex-University of Salford student Pisees, formerly known as Eraza Blade, was a member of 1990s rap group Ch’ill Cru, and has already supported other US artists Akon and Nas and is looking forward to hooking up with T-Pain.

Nigerian-born Pisees, who grew up in Cheetham Hill, said: "T-Pain came to Manchester last year and I met one of his tour managers and talked about when he would be performing again.

"He asked me if I would be interested in supporting him and I jumped at the opportunity. I’m a big fan of his style and sounds - he incorporates electric sounds that Akon uses.

"I will go back stage and have a drink with him and perhaps I could persuade him to come to the after-party and do some jamming and DJing."

Pisees, whose real name is Wumi Akinpekumi, will perform a 15 minute set before going on to see T-Pain do a small performance at Manchester’s Lounge 31 in Withy Grove.

He is currently working on his next album, which is due to be released in the summer.

This will include his latest track CityFlow from his EP Code Yellow, and the lyricist says he has high hopes that links with US record producer Timbaland, could further his music career.

"My friend is cousins with Timbaland’s John Doe," he said, "and Timbaland is dropping an album at the same time as me in the summer, so we are hoping to go over to New York and possibly perform with him."

He added: "Performing in front of thousands of people is electric - I just feed off the energy from the audience.